mousecrazy

I'm so sorry. I think the loss is as great as a child that has been born. Your dreams and hopes for your child are real, and you will have to grieve the loss of those hopes and dreams. Yet, there are limitless hopes and dreams to be had, and there will be more. (((((Squeeze)))))). There, there, I'm so sorry.

What an adorable princess! LOVE the hair! She looks very confidant for a 4 year old going off to school. Congratulations! Cindy

Welcome fellow Texan! I don't have answers for your insurance questions, but the people in your surgeon's office should be able to help you. Keep reading, someone is bound to have an answer soon! Cindy

If anyone is still wondering who was responsible for what, and want to read the actual City of New Orleans Emergency Preparedness Plan, go to this website: http://www.cityofno.com/portal.aspx?portal=46 This is the plan that should have been followed, and had it been, hundreds of thousands of people would be in much better shape than they are now. This information is completley accessible, though strangely ignored by the media (at least most of the media). The questions can start with this document. Responsibility is clearly outlined. The governor has admitted she told the president to give her 24 hours to determine what she needed from FEMA/fed govt. That is, after Louisiana and Mississippi were declared disaster areas TWO DAYS before the hurricane struck, by the president. Still on my mission for better understanding for all...thanks for reading. Cindy

Delarla, my sister and daughter are Libras, and the weighing both sides of every issue is a trait I am familiar with...I am heartend to find an open mind. Babs, you did an excellent job of expressing your views, and I agree with you. A couple of points: the Coast Guard did achieve dangerous rescues the very first day, as soon as the weather was safe to operate. Second, WE elect our leaders, be they mayors, governors, senators, etc., and I dare say almost half the population doesn't vote at all, and if they do, many of them do not know who they are voting for, and if they can be counted on in an emergency. Think of the manner in which Guiliani led NYC through 9/11. Very effective leadership, even if some of his personal issues are a bit iffy for some. Please, please, please, set aside personal animosity for the man who is our president, even if some of you can not give the title to which he is due, because Babs is right: he does not have all the pull people want to scapegoat him with. He is the head of a large cumbersome bureaucracy. Something else I beg of you: read and research stories of compassion, generosity, heroism and stepping up to the plate. America, the people, are doing those things by the thousands every day. I think this highlights the saying "United we stand, divided we fall." Why would be ever be embarrassed of that? Read, read, and read some more. Try watching some news with less slant, or at least a different slant. Try Fox Cable news for a change of pace. Read some blogs on the internet...there are lots of questions. I like to search around for the answers, and decide what makes sense. It just does not make sense that people just didn't care about the victims because of race...what about all the white people in Mississippe who are still waiting for significant help? Thanks for indulging me in my writing. I like this discussion. I know there are strong opinions here, and I do defend everyone's right to their own. Cindy

Yes...callouses not so bad right now, but I've been getting pedicures lately as my own reward system! Have varicose veins/spider veins on legs...Cindy

Hi, Soonergirl! I went through my closets this weekend, and sent bags and bags of plus size clothing to my daughter's school, and from there they are going to some shelters in the Denton area, or maybe even up to Reunion...we had to bag and label them according to size, just as you suggest. I just want to support your thread, and encourage everyone to find the need in their area...evacuees are being sent all over the U.S., even Massachusetts, Minnesota, Utah, etc. Hang on to your clothes, find your local shelter, and then you won't have to mail them.

Zippity-doo-dah!!!!!!! I'm thrilled to hear of your fantastic success! I enjoy reading your posts; they are inspiring! Blessings, Cindy

Hi Delarla...I am glad you posted again, because you started the thread to vent, and then boy, did people vent! Of course, we do not all think the same way, but I think that is okay, and hope other people do, too. I want you to feel better about things, and so want you to know that Bush declared the area a disaster area two days before the storm hit. That was so local/state officials would be able to request the assistance necessary in advance. We'll find out some day exactly what happened. Also, he flew over on his way home from Crawford the day after the storm was over, I think it was Tuesday. I saw a video of Air Force One flying low over the damage so he oculd view it from the air. I hope the info I give on this thread will not be seen as argumentative, but enlightening. And, sorry to say but it's reality, the consequence for ignorance is, unfortunately, sometimes death. I still want to know why the mayor of New Orleans did not know that half a million people would need shelter and evacuation! What's that all about? Thanks again Delarla for starting the thread and leaving it open...I've learned a lot from it, and I bet others have, too!

I'm 6 weeks out from banding, and have noticed a pattern in my weight loss...it goes down, then back up for a couple of days, then stays the same a couple of days, then back down. Then up , then same, then down...I records all that I eat on fitday.com, and I can pull up reports on my weight loss over time, if I'm meeting my protein or other nutritional goals, my activity levels, etc. It's been a big help, and kept me disciplined and out of denial. If I eat something like ice cream, I record it...it would be easy to pretend I didn't do it, but that won't really help me. Be patient, follow dr. instructions, and study your pattern. Good luck! Cindy

Yes, La Madam, that would definitely be one place that plans could be fine-tuned. The only worse scanario I can imagine is that the mayor and governor actually DID NOT know how many people lived in dire straits and couldn't leave. I know for sure that I never heard estimates as high as the actual reality is.

Although I am one of the members with dissenting views, I agree with divaliciousdee: no hostility on any personal level. In fact, she and I have something in common: we were both debaters (high school, for me)! Let's all do what we can to help these families right now, and for the long-term, because they are going to need all of our help. There's a lot of displaced workers, and maybe some of us have the option of providing jobs. Fill backpacks with school supplies, contact your local churches, your local shelters, food banks, organizations...make those phonecalls, Let's get to work! Love to all, Cindy

Kathy, your comments about this being a safe place to post all of our different perspectives is right...I have read and pondered many statements made in this thread today, and have learned alot about point of view. I sure hate to see things relegated to race...that N.O. didn't receive help due the victims being black. The thought that comes to my mind on the racial aspect of the relief effort is that it could have validity, if we find that all the white victims, and destroyed cities (whose residents were mostly white or asian or hispanic) along the coast received better and faster aid from the federal governement. Does anyone have proof of this? I know it will be hard to find out, because the media is focusing on the biggest disaster in N.O., but we owe it ourselves to find out. Another stumbling block for the speed of the relief effort can be found in gov't. regulations regarding trucking/transportation, oil refinery restrictions, and a myriad of other laws passed for our "own good." Many of these had to be waived so we could deal with this disaster. Whether we like it or not, oil and the flow of it throughout our country is extremely important...what would happen to our country economically without it? This would be a financial disaster of the worst kind...companies/corporations would not be able to manufacture good, the goods could not be shipped around the country...nevermind to the rest of the world. The employees of these businesses would lose their jobs. No or extremely expensive air transportation...no replacement parts for our cars...empty shelves at the grocery store...well, it would be a disaster. So, when the president reassures the nation that oil flow will not be seriously interrupted, I wouldn't take it as a crass and unfeeling statement. His duties and obligations are to the safety of the country, all of it, and even when it might not seem relevant, you will find that it just may be, if you stop to think things through. It is natural and our first inclination to respond to tragedy in an emotional manner; my heart breaks and there are tears in my eyes at the destruction, death, and pain I see. Let's take time to understand it all, before we indict either the victims or the helpers...and understand also that this is one huge disaster, and some things just cannot be perfectly planned. Shoot, I can know all the possibilities of mistakes any time I make a decision, and still make a big mistake...can you imagine having to be perfect?

First of all, I have been working all morning, cleaning out my family's closets. They do need clothes, but they have to be distributed to all the shelters in the U.S. We have tens of thousands of the the evacuees here in the North Texas area. Everyone is sickened and suffering over our fellow Americans' suffering in the Gulf Coast states. I ask you to keep your minds open to my comments. All major cities have disaster plans, especially in the wake of 9/11. It seems to me that right off the bat, New Orleans did not have an effective plan. Secondly, it appears that city leadership is poor if not incompetent. Where are the leaders? What was the mayor doing besides cursing and blaming? A few of the police were participating in the looting! NO LEADERSHIP. At the root of the entire problem is a population who has been conditioned to depend on the government to provide all help, and fix all problems. Not just in New Orleans, but the nanny state has taken over the minds of many of our citizens. I may be in the minority here, but blaming the Office of the President, whether it is Bush or Clinton or the next guy, seems ridiculous. Think about this: Is it possible that some natural disasters are just so large in scope, land area, and magnitude that a proper and quick response is just not possible? I agree that there are have been mishandlings and mistakes, but to rant and rave against the governement, admittedly imperfect, of the greatest and most giving and generous country in the world, is not going to solve anything, and is hurting our people. America is responding, will respond, and will continue to do its best under the most horrific circumstances imaginable, not only here, but throughout the world. I care for and respect you guys, but I am not going to be afraid to defend our country and its people, the brave and courageous military, and our president. I guess we should have a president that wears ragged clothes, and drives a bicycle around the country? Work him to the bone, with no relief for the stress of his job? Come on, people...I am no rich girl. I am a public school teacher. Give the Office of the President your support, even if you do not like the man. Turn your grief into action, and show everyone that they can always be proud of the United States of America.

CONGRATULTIONS! You've earned every minute of joy and success...Whoop it up! Cindy

Hi guys! Welcome to one of the greatest boards on the web! Lots of info, fun, and great support! Read everything! Ask questions! Cindy

You've found a great site for support and info! Enjoy and I'll see ya around the boards! Cindy

Thanks for the great story...so inspirational! Here's a BIG congratulations to you f or your fantastic success! Cindy

I've ordered 7 bottles of different flavors...then we went to World market and bought those little stainless steel spouts with lids, and put them on the bottles, so when you pour them they won't drip. We used to have liquor bottles lined up like this, but times change and so do we! No drinking for us, but SF syrups are pretty exciting! Cindy

My prayers and thoughts for your safety are coming your way...please stay safe. This storm is going to be a big one! Know we are thinking of you. Let us know how you are when you can. Cindy

Hey, I'm thinking of you, and praying that all will be well for you and others in Louisiana, and the other Gulf states...Good luck, and keep us posted, please. Cindy

Sounds like you had a great time! Congratulations on your success! I apologize if I posted this twice, but it did a weird thing when I clicked on post reply.... Cindy

Sounds like you had a GREAT time! Congrats on the success! Cindy

Hi, fellow Texan! Your dr. and my dr. (Marsden) are in the same lapband group...but my surgery was in Ft. Worth, and yours will be somewhere else...Richardson, I think. YOu'll love the boards here...great! Come back often and read old posts, ask questions...you're sure to find friends and answers here. Cindy

Glad you're here! Great people with really good knowledge about all things in bandland! I'll see you around here...Cindy